Alisal Vibrancy Plan Update and Next Steps
June 30, 2026
City Council
Grant Leonard, Planning Manager
Nathan Kieu
Deputy Director of Economic Development
Agenda
Alisal Vibrancy Plan
Background
Progress Since Adoption
Appearance
Cleanliness
Safety and Infrastructure
Parks and Open Space
Identify next projects and programs
Economic Development
Alisal Market Place
Current studies/reports
Opportunities
MST and former Transfer Station
City owned properties
John and Abbott
Next steps
Completed in 2019
Action-oriented, comprehensive strategy for Salinas’ Alisal neighborhood Five priority areas:
Appearance
Cleanliness
safety and infrastructure
parks and open space
economic development
AVP planning area includes both the Alisal neighborhood (East of US 101) and the Alisal Market Place (West of US 101)
Alisal District Identity Master Plan
Alisal Green and Beautification Art Projects
Public Outreach and Community Engagement
We actively reached out to the local community to gather input and encourage participation, ensuring the Closter Park mural reflected strong public outreach and meaningful community engagement as emphasized by the City of Salinas.
Closter Park Neighborhood Canvasing (door hangers)
Community Memo Boards including at the Boxing gym, City Council, Public Parking lots and Grocery Stores.
Alisal School District Office – to distrubute to all schools within the district.
All City Recreation Centers
Businesses along East Alisal, Sanborn, Williams, and Bardin Way.
Closter Park Updates
Currently Under Construction
El Gabilan Park Improvements
Hebbron Family Center Ribbon Cutting
Commercial Facade Improvement Pilot Program
Commercial Corridor Regular Cleanup
AVP Implementation Budget
Allocation:
FY 2021-2022 - $3.0M
FY 2022-2023 - $1.4M
FY 2023-2024 - $1.04M
Total $5.44M
Local funds leveraged to secure large State and Federal Grants:
Hebbron Family Center
Closter Park
Williams Road Safe Corridor Project
AVP Implementation - Budget for Current Projects
Large projects estimated to be completed in FY 26/27
Funding for multi-year grants and programs through FY 27-28
ALISAL VIBRANCY PLAN · ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Alisal
Marketplace:
From Community Vision
to Economic Opportunity
City of Salinas · May 2026
THE ALISAL MARKETPLACE
Alisal Marketplace — West of US-101, bordered by E. Alisal St., Work St. & John St. 📍
WHAT IT IS
A distinct zone west of US-101 — adjacent to downtown, with its own land and major redevelopment sites. Not the same as the residential Alisal neighborhood east of the freeway. 📊
THE FOUNDATION
In April 2026, Kosmont Companies delivered a market assessment and economic development strategy for the Marketplace.
OPPORTUNITIES: THREE CATALYST SITES
Strategy: Focus on 1–2 anchor opportunities rather than spreading effort across everything. The City's role: clear obstacles, connect parties, apply the right tools. 01 IN PROGRESS
MST / Former Transfer Station
Commission St. — Jobs & Community Anchor
02 MONITORING
John & Abbott — Uni-Kool Site
22.74 Acres — Mixed Use Residential/Office
03 EVALUATING
City-Owned Properties
Corp Yard (410 Work St.) & Car Wash (282 E. Alisal) – Residential/Mix Use 1 3
3 2
Retail
SITE 01 · MST / FORMER TRANSFER STATION · IN PROGRESS [ INSERT IMAGE HERE ]
MST Conceptual Site Plan
from Kosmont deck Slide 18
(shows bus facility, community hub,
plaza, and art facade)
MST Conceptual Plan
🚌
Bus Maintenance & Parking
Permanent, stable jobs for Alisal residents
🏛
Community Hub + Tech Training
Transit workforce development
🎨
Public Plaza & Art Facade
Community frontage maximized on Commission St.
🍽
Foot Traffic to Alisal Restaurants
MST employees become built-in customers
NEXT STEP
Monitor acquisition. Coordinate on community benefit programming to ensure Alisal resident priorities are reflected in the final plan.
SITE 02 · JOHN & ABBOTT (UNI-KOOL)
[ INSERT: Uni-Kool site plan or
townhome rendering from
Kosmont slides 27–30 ]
John St. & Abbott St. — 22.74 Acres
Hotel (extended stay)
111 rooms
Residential
197 units
Retail + Office
138,800 SF
Total — 7 phases
441,600 SF
SITE 03 · CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
[ INSERT: Kosmont slide 60 —
Overview map showing corp yard
and car wash site locations ]
City-Owned Properties
1. City Corp Yard - 410 Work St.
4.1 acres · Industrial General Commercial (IGC) Zoning Public Works still needs this site. PW relocation strategy required before redevelopment path can be determined.
2. Car Wash - 282 E. Alisal St.
0.4 acres · Industrial General Commercial (IGC) Zoning Smaller site, potentially earlier-stage opportunity. City controls this parcel directly. Surplus Land Act process applies.
5. Granite Rock (City Owned) -710 Work St./655 Elvee Dr.
6.09 acres · Industrial General (IG) Zoning
Public Works still needs this site. PW relocation strategy required before redevelopment path can be determined.
NEXT STEPS
The Marketplace is at an inflection point. Preconditions met. Foundation in place. What follows is implementation — methodically, site by site. 1 MST / Transfer Station
Monitor acquisition progress.
2 Uni-Kool / John & Abbott
Re-engage developer. Explore P3 parking structure feasibility. 3 City-Owned Properties
Resolve Public Works space needs.
Evaluate car wash as near-term independent opportunity. 4 Hotel Market Study
Explore and scope a hotel study for future hotel flag conversations as market conditions improve.
Soccer Complex demand case.
5 EIFD Feasibility
Evaluate Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District formation for the Marketplace Informational update — no Council action requested today.
Questions?